Setting career goals is an important step in having a successful career. When navigating the job market, you should have a direction in mind and an idea of what you need to accomplish in order to get there. Reaching your goals isn't usually easy- that's what makes them goals. They are something you have to work toward, and it may take many different career moves- and years of gaining the experience or education needed- in order to reach them.

Don't let a lack in education or experience keep you from setting your desired goals. Anything can be achieved through hard work and dedication, and with a well-mapped plan, you can take the necessary steps to move yourself in the right direction. Lacking education or experience doesn't mean you will never be able to reach your goal job, it just means you may have to take a few extra steps to get there.

A good place to start is by trying to find an initial job where you can work your way up, or use it as a steppingstone to a better one. Many companies offer tuition reimbursement benefits, allowing employees to work to attain their educational goals while they are employed there, and paying back all or a portion of the cost. If you're able to get a job with this benefit, you can work toward increasing your education to make you more qualified for other positions. Even if a job doesn't offer tuition reimbursement, it can offer you valuable experience to help you get your next job.

If you're having trouble finding a job, consider looking for an internship or a volunteer opportunity that could help you gain the skills you need to attain your goal. This could be the step you need to get your foot in the door in your desired field or with a specific company you hope to work for. Companies will often decide to hire interns who have proven themselves as good workers, and who already "know the ropes" from the experience they gained there as interns.

For many people, the hardest part of establishing their career is in deciding what they want to do and what their goals are. If you have a goal in mind, you are already moving in the right direction. With the willingness to dedicate yourself to continuing your education, whether it be by taking classes or through hands-on experience in other jobs along the way, you can achieve your career goals.